Makato, Philippines — A new study from Brenda A. Rioja and Therese Jean A. Sarabia of Aklan State University reveals that the success of mangrove conservation depends not only on government policy but also on active local community engagement. The study, published in 2026, focuses on the proposed Makato Mangrove Park in Aklan and explores how stakeholder participation can strengthen green-space governance.
The research comes at a critical time as mangrove ecosystems continue to decline in the Philippines. Over the past century, the country’s mangrove cover has dropped from around 450,000 hectares to just over 311,000 hectares. This decline threatens biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon storage capacity, all of which are crucial for climate resilience.
In Makato, Aklan, mangroves play a major role in supporting local livelihoods. Coastal communities rely on them for fishing, fuel, and transportation. Yet despite their importance, mangrove governance has remained fragmented, often limited to occasional tree-planting drives and cleanup campaigns.
The study involved 43 stakeholders from four coastal barangays—Alibagon, Baybay, Cajilo, and Tugas—during fieldwork conducted in November 2025. Participants included village officials, fisherfolk, fishpond owners, youth representatives, and environmental volunteers.
Through interviews and focus group discussions, the researchers explored local perceptions of mangrove value and the challenges in protecting these ecosystems. The findings showed strong community awareness and willingness to participate, but institutional support remains weak.
According to Brenda Rioja, local communities are ready to contribute more actively, but inconsistent regulations and poor coordination among agencies continue to limit meaningful participation.
The study identified several major governance challenges. Waste management in coastal areas remains irregular, creating environmental pressure on mangrove habitats. Monitoring and enforcement systems are also weak, with no clear accountability structures for illegal resource use.
Another concern raised by participants was unequal access to government support. Some community members felt that environmental assistance and benefits were not distributed fairly, creating trust issues and reducing long-term commitment.
The research also highlighted the tension between conservation and livelihoods. Many residents see mangrove protection rules as potential threats to their income, especially for fishing and aquaculture. This suggests that environmental policies need to include economic alternatives for affected communities.
To address these issues, Rioja and Sarabia developed two evidence-based policy instruments: the Action Plan for Sustainable Mangrove and River Governance and the Policy and Planning Strategies for Sustainable Mangrove Governance.
These frameworks propose stronger local ordinances on waste management, biodiversity protection, permit systems, alternative livelihood support, and long-term monitoring mechanisms.
The implications extend beyond Makato. The study provides a practical governance model for other coastal communities in Southeast Asia facing similar environmental and social challenges.
Therese Jean Sarabia emphasized that mangrove conservation will only succeed if community participation evolves from occasional activities into a permanent part of local governance systems.
For countries like Indonesia, which holds the world’s largest mangrove ecosystems, the findings offer valuable lessons on balancing conservation, economic survival, and community empowerment.
The study delivers a clear message: mangrove protection becomes more effective when communities are treated not just as participants, but as decision-makers.
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